‘Slash and Dash’ Police Hunting for Artwork Vandal… Could Be Artists Own Son

Nicholas Morley, 40, flew from his home in London, England, to Denver under an assumed name on May 1, according to police. The next day, he allegedly entered Opera Gallery, at the base of Aspen Mountain, at around 4.16 p.m, wearing sunglasses and a cap, and slashing the artwork before fleeing, authorities say. He then drove to the airport and flew back to the UK. Surveillance footage from the gallery shows a man in black jeans, a black jacket, a hat, sunglasses and a full beard, entering the building and propping the door open. Within a few seconds, he rushed over to the Christopher Wool painting and slashed it twice. A gallery employee appears but the slasher rushed for the door, grabbing the prop on the way out.